Guwahati, July 9 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the state has witnessed a sharp increase in the number of registered Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), asserting that the sector has emerged as a major driver of employment generation and economic growth.

In a post on social media platform X, Sarma said Assam currently has 17.29 lakh registered MSMEs operating across various sectors and stressed that the government aims to further expand the ecosystem.

“There has been a manifold rise in the number of registered MSMEs in Assam over the last few years. This is a great metric, and we want to expand it further,” the Chief Minister said.

He added that every new enterprise contributes to employment creation and strengthens the state’s economy.

“Every new enterprise we create is an investment in jobs, opportunity and a more peaceful, prosperous and stable Assam,” Sarma said.

The Chief Minister shared a graphic highlighting the growth in registered MSMEs, describing the sector as a key pillar powering Assam’s economic transformation.

MSMEs play a crucial role in manufacturing, food processing, handloom and handicrafts, services, trade, and agro-based industries, and support local entrepreneurship and generate large-scale employment across rural and urban areas.

The Assam government has, in recent years, introduced several policy measures to encourage entrepreneurship, simplify regulatory processes, and improve access to finance for small businesses.

The state has also focused on attracting investments through initiatives such as Advantage Assam, while encouraging startups, industrial expansion and skill development to strengthen the MSME ecosystem.

Officials said that the growing number of registered enterprises reflects increasing formalisation of businesses and improved awareness about government incentives available to MSMEs.

The government has repeatedly emphasised that a strong MSME sector is essential for achieving inclusive economic growth, reducing unemployment and creating sustainable livelihoods across the state.

With industrial activity gaining momentum and investment commitments increasing, the government expects the MSME sector to play an even bigger role in supporting Assam’s long-term economic development, boosting exports and strengthening the state’s position as an emerging manufacturing and business hub in the Northeast.

–IANS

tdr/dan